Deterioration of Reinforced Concrete: A Fracture Mechanics Approach

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The aim of this research is to develop a rigorous numerical model (primarily based on nonlinear fracture mechanics) to study thedeterioration of reinforced concrete structures (such as bridge decks)due to the corrosion of rebars, atmospheric pollution, frost and mechanical load.Coupling between these various effects with cracking will be considered.This in turn, will lead to the better understanding of the deterioration process,and improved predictive capabilities.Rather than focusing on the causes of the deteriorations (such as chloridediffusion, carbonation), we will focus on the end effect which is concrete cracking and its interaction/coupling with the mechanisms which lead to deterioration.